New to this form - looking for reverse applique instruction/book?

17 years ago

Hello,

I'm new to this forum and relatively new to quilting. I've made some simple block quilts and a couple of table toppers.

I've recently become fascinated with stained glass quilting.

I purchased this pattern and would like to make it. HOwever, the technique is "reverse applique" and the instructions just don't quite make sense to me.

{{!gwi}}

I'm looking for better instructions (either a book recommendation or online) for reverse applique. Have I bitten off a project that requires more skill than my current level?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

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Comments (16)

quiltdiva
17 years ago
Hi and welcome! Jan Mullen was on Simply Quilts way back when showing her reverse applique method and HGTV still has it on their website with pics. Maybe this will help a little. I suppose you could fuse the pieces with fusible web and bias strips if you use a light weight fusible so it wouldn't be so stiff but I'm sure there's others here that have actually done stained glass quilting that can give you better answers. Here's another method of stained glass quilting that might help. http://quilting.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=quilting&cdn=homegarden&tm=5&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=0amp;bts=0amp;zu=http%3A//www.nmia.com/%7Emgdesign/qor/styles/stainedglass/stainedglass.html

Kay

Here is a link that might be useful: Reverse Applique Tutorial
sandra_ferguson
17 years ago
Reverse applique is simply a process where you remove....cut away.... part of the top fabric to expose a second fabric, under it....the edges of the top fabric are tucked under and sewn....thus the term reverse applique - instead of putting it on top, you cut away to expose it. This has nothing to do with stained glass, bias strips, etc.... different things. Just looking at the pic you included isn't enough to go on to tell you how to proceed. Why don't you include the instructions and then maybe someone can lend you some advice.
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grammyp
17 years ago
Welcome to our little group, we are glad you are here. I have only done ragged edge reverse applique, but the instructions on Simply Quilts were really good.

beverly

Here is a link that might be useful: Simply Quilts Eagle Reverse Applique
glassquilt
17 years ago
I did a reverse appliquÃÂ© "Superman" costume for Halloween years ago.
I put all the red & yellow fabric under white - had it all pinned in one big sandwich with the white on top.
I drew the logo on the white and did a straight stitch outlining everything.
I cut all the white away leaving the red visible.
I cut the red away leaving the yellow.
I did a red satin stitch over all the straight stitching & the raw edges of the fabric.
When the front looked good I turned it over and removed excess on the back.

The boys outgrew that costume before it wore out.

Here is a link that might be useful:
noocha
17 years ago
Welcome to the forum grandma. I'm sure these ladies can help you out with this applique question. I'm just no good at it myself so I'm no help:o) I just wanted to say hello.
scraphappy
17 years ago
Welcome to this forum!! You'll have fun here. As for the reverse applique - that looks similar to an angel wall-hanging I did for a friend - I'm guessing the dark lines that look like bias strips are the dark background and the shapes are "reverse-appliqued" onto it - that's how my angel pattern was. I will say that was alot of work. It turned out beautiful, but I vowed that if I ever make something similar, I will just sew down dark bias strips to give the stained-glass effect. Your pattern looks beautiful, BTW. Keep us posted on its progress.
zone_8grandma
Original Author
17 years ago
Wow! Thank you all for that warm welcome. (Hey noocha, nice to see you here)
And thank you so much for some great suggestions:

I've linked to the site that quiltdiva posted - and saved it for future reference.
I've also ordered the book Reverse Applique With No Brakez by Jan Mullen. Looking forward to reading it.

scraphappy - Indeed this looks like the quilt you described. (I don't mean the design, but rather the many small lines)

Here's a better picture of the quilt I want to do. It's a wall hanging measuring 30" by 30".

{{!gwi}}

I've re-read the instructions - the black is the background so as you can see there is a LOT to be cut away. I've concluded that this is not a good project for a first attempt at reverse applique, BUT as scraphappy indicated, it looks like a fairly simple one for the stained glass technique with black bias to cover the raw seams.

I went to a quilt shop yesterday and purchased some fabric that I love. I'm going to be out of town for the next ten days with a lot of time on my hands, so hope to get it done.
I'll post a photo when I get it completed.

Then - I'm going to tackle a simple reverse applique project.
Thank you all again
grandma
mexicomarti
17 years ago
Actually, that doesn't look all that hard. Cut out the patterns for the whites, the blues, the sea and the colors (adding a bit all around each pattern to turn under, then lay it all out on a piece of black fabric, then needleturn applique all those pieces. Use a glue stick to anchor the pieces while you applique.

BTW, welcome! You must have sidled on over from the gardening forums...I can tell by your screen name. Where is Zone 8, anyway? I am an indifferent gardener of the 'If I plant it and it lives, this must be its zone' ilk.

Marti in Mexico
zone_8grandma
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Marti, and thank you.
I'm so new at this I don't even know what "needleturn applique" means. (I feel so ignorant)

Yes, I did wander in from the garden forums :)
I'm in the Pacific Northwest on the Olympic Peninsula. When most people see "zone 8", they think deep south, since the higher the zone number, the warmer the climate.
But we have an unusual micro-climate here. Because of Puget Sound and being sandwiched in between two mountain ranges we enjoy a mild climate. So I can grow many things not normally possible at this latitude.
mexicomarti
17 years ago
If you are new at all of this, I suggest tabling the project for a while and sinking your teeth into some more basic stuff, which all comes with a warning about addiction, quilting, stash accumulation, and deceiving husbands.

Your little corner of the world sounds lovely. I've never been there, but the words 'Pacific Northwest' always sound so exotic, foresty, misty, and ocean-y to me. I live in high desert country up in the mountains of Mexico, and our byword is dry, dry and drier. We haven't had rain since December, and won't until the end of June. Then it will rain until sometime in September. Can you say 'enormous water bill', boys and girls? LOL

Marti in Mexico
kathi_mdgd
17 years ago
Here's my very first one and it's done as scraphappy said.It really wasn't that hard,once i got into it.Just make sure you read the directions carefully before you start.I kept saying i don't know if i can do this,but DH kept encouraging me along.

A glue stick or Roxanne's glue can be a big help to you with this.

So i say go for it,take your time,and Breathe.
Kathi
noocha
17 years ago
WOW! Kathi, that is so nice. Your very first one? I love hummingbirds!
Just...wow!
Linda
PS grandma, you'll love it here:o) Good luck on this project & don't forget the pix.
colleenny
17 years ago
Welcome to our little corner if the internet. Needleturn Applique is when the edges are turned under with the needle instead of being turned under in advance while you are doing hand applique. Colleen
mexicomarti
17 years ago
Kathi, that is SOME gorgeous project! the white background fabric look like that kind of non-see-thru glass. Just beautiful!

Marti in Mexico
kathi_mdgd
17 years ago
Thanks for the compliments ladies.As i said it really wasn't that hard to do once i got into it.So my tally is 1 reverse applique,1 watercolor quilt,1 landscape,1 mini landscape,1 mini ,where each finished block is only 1"x1",a paper pieced wall hanging,plus lots of regular/traditional quilts.I like to challenge myself so will try almost_ anything once.
Kathi
maryliz
16 years ago
Some of the links to pictures are busted, but I thought I'd bring this thread back, since it contains such great information.

New to this form - looking for reverse applique instruction/book?

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